Five Predictions for Metal Additive Manufacturing

• Leading additive-manufacturing players will refocus on those areas of 3D printing where growth continues to explode, including metal additive manufacturing. Those already heavily involved in metal printing will continue on their growth paths in 2016, and those only partially involved or entirely uninvolved will set their sights on metals.

• As 3DMP grows in use for direct component manufacturing, the supply chain for qualified spherical metal powder may struggle to meet demand.

• R&D and indirect 3D metal printing will take off in the automotive segment. The big question will be whether more attention will go to specialized 3DP services for the automotive industry, or whether automotive OEMs bring metal printers into their plants.

• In 2016, wire-based 3DMP technology will grow, almost entirely from aerospace-industry demand. While some competitiveness exists between wire-based and powder-based approaches, neither approach will limit expansion of the other.

• In 2014 and 2015, sales of large-format metal systems grew substantially. In 2016, the market will shift toward smaller-footprint systems aimed not just at research applications, but also for true small-scale manufacturing.